This species is similar to, and sometimes treated as conspecific with, Pleurospermumdavidii (here a synonym of P. benthamii). It is here distinguished by the more finely divided leaves (ultimate segments to 5 mm wide), hirtellous along the margin, the smaller fruits (less than 6 mm), and the terminal umbel overtopped by the staminate lateral umbels. It has reputed medicinal value (in Sichuan).